SAINT PAUL (Interstat) — Natalie Spooner recorded two assists and Raygan Kirk made 11 saves as the Toronto Sceptres defeated the Minnesota Frost 2-1 at Grand Casino Arena in the Professional Women’s Hockey League season opener for both teams. Toronto improved to 1-0, while Minnesota fell to 0-1. The Sceptres erased an early deficit, survived a series of penalties and used a third-period goal from Kiara Zanon to secure the road victory. Spooner, a right wing from Scarborough, Canada, finished with five shots on goal and was Toronto’s top star. Kirk, listed at 5-foot-8, earned the win in net.

Minnesota struck first in the opening period. Kendall Coyne Schofield scored at 4:00, with Kelly Pannek and Britta Curl-Salemme picking up assists. The Frost held that lead for much of the period, using pressure from Curl-Salemme and Taylor Fox. Toronto went to the penalty kill at 15:49 when Daryl Watts was called for hooking. The Sceptres responded after returning to full strength. Ella Shelton scored at 17:05, with Spooner and Savannah Harmon assisting. The goal tied the game and changed the momentum before the first intermission.

The second period featured penalties but no goals. Minnesota’s Katy Knoll was called for hooking at 3:30. Toronto’s Emma Maltais went off for tripping at 11:01. Kirk and the Toronto defense held firm through the middle frame. Minnesota continued to generate chances, but Kirk stopped 11 of the 12 shots she faced overall. Toronto’s penalty kill also did its job during a period in which neither team could break through. Fox finished with three shots on goal and two hits, while Curl-Salemme had an assist, three shots and two hits for Minnesota.

Toronto took control in the third. Blayre Turnbull was penalized for slashing at 3:03, but the Sceptres killed the chance. At 5:44, Zanon scored the go-ahead goal, with Maltais and Spooner assisting. The goal gave Toronto a lead it would not surrender. Minnesota had opportunities to respond, but penalties slowed its push. Peyton Anderson was called for tripping at 11:15, and Pannek was sent off for tripping at 15:48. Toronto’s penalty kill and Kirk’s goaltending kept the Frost from finding an equalizer. The Sceptres protected the one-goal lead through the final minutes.

Spooner was Toronto’s top star, finishing with two assists and five shots on goal. Kirk earned the win with 11 saves on 12 shots. Shelton scored on two shots. For Minnesota, Coyne Schofield scored on two shots and recorded one hit. Maltais contributed an assist, two penalty minutes and four hits. Pannek had an assist, two shots and two penalty minutes. Curl-Salemme added an assist, three shots and two hits. Zanon also scored on two shots. Harmon added an assist and one shot. Fox contributed three shots and two hits. Minnesota’s effort included several strong shifts, but the Frost could not convert after the first period.

The Sceptres’ victory gave them an early road result against a Minnesota team playing its season opener. Toronto’s next game is against Boston at home. Minnesota will visit Seattle in its next matchup. The Frost will look to rebound after a close loss in which they held an early lead but could not solve Kirk after the first period. Toronto will then continue its schedule with games against Ottawa, Montreal and New York, while Minnesota is set to face Seattle, Ottawa and Boston. The result gave Toronto a positive start and left Minnesota searching for its first win.

Interstat’s ELO system had projected Minnesota with a 58.7 percent probability to win before the game. That projection did not hold as Toronto finished with the victory.